Danforth Loves Bikes!

Update 6/9/2016: Today, City Council voted unanimously to reinstate a Danforth Avenue Major Corridor Study. Help us make a protected bike lane on Danforth become a reality in 2018 - join or renew your membership today.

Update 6/8/2016: While the Danforth Avenue Major Corridor Study was included in the new 10 Year Cycling Network Plan, it was removed at the May 16th meeting of Public Works & Infrastructure Committee. Help get it restored at City Council. Sign the pledge!

Danforth bike lanes would fill a significant gap in the network

There is a significant gap in Toronto’s cycling network east of the Don Valley. The Bloor Viaduct helps connect east end cycling commuters out of the core via the protected bike lanes on Sherbourne St. However, the lanes end at Broadview Ave. There are several north-south bike routes east of Broadview Ave but no high quality infrastructure options to connect them.

Danforth Ave is the east-end’s only route with the potential to extend continuously to the downtown west of the Don Valley. All of the other bridges crossing the Don (Gerrard, Dundas and Queen) have streetcar tracks which make continuous routes challenging, if not impossible. Danforth is a consistent width (16.5 m) and significantly wider than all of the east-end alternatives with more potential to accommodate cycling infrastructure with less impact on traffic and parking

The City of Toronto is creating a 10-year cycling network plan to be approved by Toronto City Council in 2016. We believe that Danforth Ave should be included in the new 10 Year Cycling Network Plan and bike lanes built as soon as possible.

Top 5 Reasons to Build Bike Lanes on Danforth

A significant majority of people arrive by walking, cycling or transit.A 2014 study by Ryerson University students and the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation found that more than 80% of patrons arrived to Greektown by walking, cycling or transit (Playter Blvd to Carlaw Ave).

Cyclists spend more money. Portland State University researchers found that customers who arrive by bike spend 24% more per month than those who arrive by car.

Protected bike lanes increase retail sales. New York City found that protected bike lanes had a significant positive impact on the strength of local business. After the construction of a protected bike lane on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49 percent increase in retail sales. In comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3 percent increase in retail sales.

Torontonians want to ride more often.Over 70% of Torontonians would cycle more if infrastructure were improved. People are already biking in large numbers on the Danforth. Adding protected lanes would allow drivers and cyclists to co-exist in their own safe, predictable space.

If you build it, they will come. Study after study demonstrates that after protected bike lanes are installed on main streets, cycling volumes increase significantly. Cycling volumes nearly tripled on Adelaide after protected bike lanes were installed - and motor vehicle volume flows as before.

Request a Danforth Loves Bikes sticker

Do you run a business on Danforth Ave and want to show your support for bike lanes on Danforth? Email info@cycleto.ca to request a sticker!

List of supporters

This map shows businesses along Danforth Ave that support adding Danforth to the new bike plan and launching a pilot project as soon as possible! Drop by, shop and thank them for their support!

Enhancing cycling on Danforth is good for local business!

Above Pape & Danforth: 3,005 people are within a 5 minute walking distance of Pape & Danforth. Over 42,000 people are within a 5 minute bicycle trip to Pape & Danforth.

Sign the Pledge!

Do you support bicycle lanes on Danforth? Sign the pledge and forward it to your friends!

Support our work!

The more members we have, the stronger our voice is at City Hall! Join or renew your membership to help support great campaigns like Danforth Loves Bikes! Already a member? Consider making a donation to this campaign to help bolster our advocacy efforts - your generosity allows us to spread the word even further and advocate for safer streets for everyone.

This project was made possible in part through funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.